TECHNICAL & VOCATIONALEDUCATION and TRAINING (TVET)SECTOR MAPPING IN KENYA

For the Dutch Schokland TVET programme

By: John Nyerere

Contents

1. Background Purpose and Organization of study

2. Supply Side – Education and Training

3. Demand Side – Labour market

4. Cross cutting Issues and Observations

5. Conclusions

1.0 General Introduction Globally education is acknowledged as a

means for transforming and empowering the youth with skills, knowledge and, attitudes to enable them become productive members of the society.

In 2000, Govt leaders of 189 countries decided to focus efforts on poverty reduction - on MDGs.

In 2007, the Netherlands Government decided to boost achieving the MDGs through a common effort - The Pact of Schokland - Project 2015, which aims to put on track MDGs.

Purpose of Mapping To identify existing stakeholders and their

interests in TIVET; Past experiences and good practices regarding

demand and supply of TVET; Strong and weak elements of the TIVET sector.

The importance of the exercise lies in the establishment of relevancy for future partnerships’ activities.

The results of the mapping process will function as a guide for the further development of country and partnership proposals, which may need to be modified or updated.

Approach Review of various documents relating to

Government policy, strategy and economic survey- Vision 2030, PRSP, KESSP, Labour sector that deal with TIVET

Discussions with key officials Focus on

Supply side issues- Education and training Demand side issues- labour market Isuues and observations

2. Supply side General Introduction In Kenya TIVET includes;

Technical training institutions, MSE training and demonstration centres, Youth polytechnics and National Youth Service Skills Development Centres.

TIVET programmes are offered in;Youth Polytechnics Technical Training InstitutesInstitutes of Technology and,National Polytechnics.

Supply Introduction Cont…Aims and Purpose of TIVET in Kenya Involve all relevant stakeholders in the

development of a comprehensive national skills training strategy.

Establish mechanisms and appropriate incentives to promote private sector investments

Provide loans and bursaries to enhance access to TIVET.

Establish a national coordinating bodyTIVETA.

Mobilize resources to rehabilitate facilities in public TIVET institutions.

Structure of Education and Training System

TERTIARYDIPLOMA

UNIVERSITYUNDER-GRAD

TIVET TERTIARYDIPLOMA

TIVETUNDER-GRAD

TECHNICALDACTORATESDOCTORATE

MASTERS TECHNICAL

CRAFT AND ARTISAN

ECCD

MASTERS

TECHINICAL

SECONDARYSCHOOLS(4 YEARS)

PRE-PRIMARY (2 YEARS)

ECCD (3 YEARS)

HIGHER

EDUC

BASIC

EDU

SECONDARY CYCLE(4 YEARS)

PRIMARY (Formal and NFE)(8 YEARS)

0to3

4 to 6

6 to 14

14 to 18

Above 18

Enrolment Total enrolment in TIVET institutions was;

Kenya Polytechnic had the highest enrolment among the national polytechnics.

Majority of female students (52.4%) are enrolled in business studies related courses compared to less than 5 % in engineering programmes.

Period 2006 to 2007

Increment 71,167 to 76,516

% increment 7.5

TIVET Policies in Kenya

• Policy Documents Guiding TIVET in Kenya;

Sessional Paper No. 5 of 2005KESSPVision 2030Gender Policy in EducationYouth Policy (Draft)

TIVET Policies in Kenya…Key policies Development of the national training strategy for

TIVET in 2005 and ensuring that TIVET institutions are adequately funded and equipped by 2008.

Gender Policy in Education that seeks to increase;

enrolment, retention, transition and achievement in TIVET, especially for girls and women.

Legal frame work for TIVET has been reviewed (TIVET Bill).

This is to provide for the establishment of a TIVET Authority to oversee the TIVET systems in the country (GoK 2008).

Donors Involved in TIVET Programmes World bank The Netherlands African Development Bank JICA UNDP/UNIDO Italian Government Microsoft

Issues in TIVET – supply side Policies are in place – desire to form TIVETA to help

focus – Awaiting Action Funds are being sought – From ADB and other donors Some investments have been made especially in

polytechnics Kenya & Mombasa polytechnics are now University

colleges Suggestions for Incentives for private sector involvement

through the inclusive education policy.

Issues in TIVET – supply side Gender imbalances in enrolment and

in different fields of study. Terminal nature of TIVET. Shortage of TIVET opportunities

particularly in rural/marginalized areas- the institutions are few compared to demand- number of school leavers at class 8 (300,000 annually Vs Annual enrolment of approximately 80,000)- capacity to be determined.

Relevance of TIVET syllabus

Issues cont…

Lack of sufficient training opportunities for TIVET at higher levels – Post graduate – Conversion of Technical schools to Technical Training, National Polytechnics to Colleges – need for balance not to hurt TIVET

TIVET is still at planning level. Disconnect between market demands and TIVET

supply (labour)- deeper culture /image issues Dramatic budget cuts – lack of interest by donors

towards the sector based on funding trends – to UPE

3.0DEMAND SIDE - Labour Market

Labour Policies

The Employment Act No. 11 of 2007 Defines the fundamental rights of employees; Provides basic conditions of employees and, Regulates employment of children.

The Labour Institutions Act No. 12 of 2007 Regulates the establishment of labour institutions

to provide for their functions, powers and duties.

Labour Policies…

The Occupational safety and Health act No. 15 of 2007

Provides for the safety, health and welfare of;I. Persons employed and,II. Persons lawfully present at work places and related

matters. Objective a good national wage policy;

assure wage earners a reasonable share of the national product, promote a harmonious and just relationship between employers and workers and,be responsive to the demands of the economy.

Labour Policies…

Work Injury Benefits No. 13 of 2007 Act Deals with compensation to employees for

injuries suffered and occupational diseases contracted in the course of employment,

The Labour Relations Act No. 14 of 2007 deals with the;

registration, regulation, management and, democratization of trade unions.

This promote sound labour relations.

The Informal Sector There is an increasing number of employees

who are in the informal sector by preference. This is irrespective of whether they are able to join

the formal sector or not. The informal sector- is the largest sector and is

growing Is labour intensive, exploits adaptive technology, acquires skills outside formal sector and, operates in unregulated and competitive markets

– Devolved Funding has created demand for services at

community levels requiring skills of TIVET graduates – Areas Of Construction, Metal work

Technological advancements expanded the skills requirements especially in ICT- Techno parks

Unemployment Rates - Focus on Youth and Gender.

The Sub-Saharan Africa is one of the regions highly affected by youth unemployment.

It is estimated to be more than 21% (ILO: 2003).

It is estimated that 64% of unemployed persons in Kenya are youth.

The government envisages an intervention that involves a cross-section of existing TIVET institutions and provision of a new technical training institute to each of the country’s 8 provinces.

Transition from School to Work

Existing Approaches To Improve TransitionCreation of Industrial Incubators

The objectives of this initiative is to create industrial incubators in order to inspire and enable TIVET graduates set up small innovative growth oriented business enterprises for self-employment and enhance transfer of technology for industrial development.

To enhance transtion from primary to TIVET, the government has set the objective of school leavers accessing TIVET programmes through improved infrustucture and training.

Issues for demand side

Many initiatives have been undertaken1. Restructuring of the Ministry of labour to

revamp institutions like DIT and creation of Productivity the productivity centre

2. Review of various legislations and policies3. Partnerships with the private sector like

FKE and universities4. Planned Investments in ICT – Fibre optics,

Techno Villages

Issues for demand side

1. Employment is only growing in the informal sector but dominated by unskilled labour

2. Unemployment rates high among the youth – in crisis - approaching disaster

3. Employers are yet to apprceaite the need for well trained Human resources – DIT has reviewed its policies but not many are taking up the incentives as should be.

4. Questions arise on relevance of Training in relations to skills required generally in Sub-Saharan Africa – skills needed in the labour market.

1. There needs to be a national skills inventory - backed by an efficient labour market information system.

The Way Forward: From Understanding To Practical Support TIVETA will ensure effective coordination,

management and governance of TIVET systems for inclusiveness in training in the country.

Initiatives aimed at achieving gender parity in the TIVET system will continue to be developed and implemented by the government.

MOE to fast-track the establishment of a national qualifications framework so as to realize inclusive education in TIVET, and other levels of education.

Observations Revise technical, industrial and vocational

education and training (TIVET) so that it reflects the needs of industry and the labor market.

Promote partnerships with the private sector, development partners;

Government should continuaaly undertake research to deepen understanding of issues on sector and play role of regulator - rather than providing training itself.

Vocationalise general to intergrate students into the work force and expose them to a range of skills and experiences

Establish more linkages between TIVET and other sectors – adress the culture and image associated with TIVET

Recommendations•Better coordination between the formal and informal training systems

•Orient TIVET towards sustainable development

•Promote broad access to learning and training and make TIVET an instrument for social inclusiveness and cohesion

Comments – after the presentation

How can we move from the tradition – are we prepared for the technology – how can we move fast so that we catch up – Example of Carpentry sector- Turkey/ Mexico – has become an industry – even exporting to Kenya – Competitive Business Driven

Create a parallel education sector for TIVET tapping the youth from childhood – harmonize for flexibility

Comments

Can their be a Growth path for TIVET Internship – need to develop a mentorship

Model program with clear institutional networks and membership to develop people – start from Edukans

Tension – Supply/Demand – Graduates are exploited by employers –contributing to negative culture towards TIVET- what do we need to do to make them better- self employment – business skills

comments

Re think emphasis on learn for work program – training is for empowerment- also to apply the training – empower to include to be entrepreneurship- level 2 empowerment.

Multiplicity of stakeholders – can it create focus on tackling the problem or is a non function structure – Must lead to ACTION and DELIVERY

What examples are we learning from the north or south/ East- west etc.- Future is resource based – Africa has all

comments

Culture is a challenge Graduates of form 4 will go through NYS- is

being focused in youth policy Informal sector training – how do we facilitate for

recognition – the government cannot handle the numbers – what form of institutions do we need to create quality- take care of challenges- HIV, poverty- but people need skills

Mismatch in education/training and labor market – we need to emphasize sciences – should be made basic – choice, availability of information to support decision making- availability and accessibility- career mapping and advice is lacking

Sort out things from down – i.e. curriculum harmonization's

Linkage

TIVET – Labor market – Gap between TIVET and labor market –Should we have TIVET under education or as

a stand alone focused on labor market needs+ self employment

Skills are lacking – mechanism of being up to date – investments in training institutions – partnerships between institutions and corporate

comments Decline in enrollment– what factors –

supply or demand – both Industries are not competitive – lack of

investments in all resources – Cost of production – electricity is

expensive – use Jetropha people/UNDP Quality of TIVET teachers is low Mismatch of resources ( planning,

utilization and process)

Comments

Orientation at primary school – syllabus excludes technical subjects eliminating access to choice – education is not giving the basic life skills training

Education system – focuses on doing but not understanding -

Comments Historical paths- injustices – rewards in

academic has favored academic not technical- creating inferiority complex – ranking – distortion of the education sectorOnly technical skills not backed up with

commercial skills – carpentry – sells do Indian Dukawalla

Relating skills acquisition to life skills TIVET IS LIFE SKILLS – BUSINESS

Does the proposed budget meet the challenge – what impact?

COMMENTS

TIVETA- should be well designed to avoid conflict and create focus Authority

Focus on both Macro – Govt – at international – Indian market – move

into international Trade Micro – capacity build

Skills are there- innovation, creativity to focus on the market- we need business people or a multiplicity of professional

Link with labor market- it changes so how do you link – entrepreneurship – dynamics of labor markets

comments

Time bomb – 2012 – may be dangerous What can we do to avert this

Youth – provide hope – technology- business parks – link to BPO’s create an army of new workers develop business skills

University conversions – culture change – lobby –